Quiet Time

WHY PRAYER IS MYSTERIOUS PART 1. Scripture: Revelations 10:7, Genesis 20:3-7.  Topic: Why Prayer is Mysterious Part 1.  Prayer is mysterious because God is mysterious! God is mysterious and there is nothing we can do about it! If you think you will ever know everything about God then you must think again! God is not a man and we cannot know everything about Him. It is precisely because of the mysteries surrounding God that a lot of people do not pray.  In this series of our quiet time we will see the mysteries surrounding prayer and we will learn that these mysteries should not keep us from prayer but rather draw us closer in search of answers. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.   Revelation 10:7    1. Mysteriously, it seems that God is limited or restricted to do only what we ask. It seems God will not act unless we pray....

HOW TO PRAY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYER PART 8  Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Topic: How to Pray With all Kinds of Prayer Part 8.   There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the different kinds of prayer that we can apply in the different situations life will fashion us with.  8. Prayer of Thanksgiving.  " In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."   1 Thessalonians 5:18 God wants us to give thanks. Apart from the usual “give me, give me, give me” prayers, God would love to hear some other types of prayers. He would love to hear you say “thank you”. Discover the power of thanking the Lord. As you thank Hi...

HOW TO PRAY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYER PART 7.  Scripture: Hebrews 5:7 Topic: How to Pray with All Kinds of Prayer Part 7.  There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the different kinds of prayer that we can apply in the different situations life will fashion us with.  7. Loud Prayers. "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard that in he feared;"  Hebrews 5:7 Jesus prayed with strong cries and so can you. There is a difference between meditation and prayer. Some people claim to pray in their minds. What is the difference between p...

HOW TO PRAY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYER PART 6. Scripture: Luke 6:12, Mark 1:35 Topic: How to Pray With All Kinds of Prayer Part 7.  There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the different kinds of prayer that we can apply in the different situations life will fashion us with.  6. The Long Prayer  There are times that it is important to spend a long time in prayer. Jesus did this very often.  "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. " Luke 6:12 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. " Mark 1:35...

HOW TO PRAY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYER PART 5.  Scripture: Mark 4:36-39 Topic: How to Pray with All Kinds of Prayer Part 5.  There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the different kinds of prayers that we can apply in the different situations life will fashion us with.  5. The Short and Powerful Prayer  And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him and say unto him, Master, carest thou not th...

HOW TO PRAY WITH ALL KIND OF PRAYER PART 4. Scripture: 1 John 1:8. Topic: How to Pray with All Kind of Prayer Part 4. There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the different kinds of prayers that we can apply in the different situations life will fashion us with.    4. The Prayer of Confession of Sins   "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."   1 John 1:8 It is important for us to confess our sins on a regular basis. Prayer which does not include prayer for forgiveness is insufficient. We must always ask for mercy. We must pray for it! If we say that we are perfect, we are foolishly deceived.  Credits: Exce...

HOW TO PRAY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYER PART 3. Scripture: James 5:15 Topic: How To Pray with All Kinds of Prayer Part 3.  There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the different kinds of prayers that we can apply in the different situations life will fashion us with.  3. The Prayer of Faith.   And the prayer of faith shall save the sick…  James 5:15  The prayer of faith is a prayer which has a great expression of faith. In Mark 11:24 , the Bible teaches us to believe that we have already received what we prayed for. Believing that you have already received is different from believing that you will receive it one day. Prayers of faith are especially ef...

HOW TO PRAY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYER PART 2.  Scripture: Jude 20, 1 Corinthians 14:2 Topic: How To Pray With All Kinds of Prayer Part 2.  There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the different kinds of prayers that we can apply in the different situations life will fashion us with.  2. Praying in the Spirit   "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost"  Jude 20  What is praying in the Spirit? The answer is in the Bible.  "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."   1 Corinth...

HOW TO PRAY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYER PART1. Scripture: Ephesians 6:18 Topic: How to Pray with All Kinds of Prayer Part 1.  There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types in this series of our quiet time we shall examine the different kinds of prayer that we can apply in the different situations that life will fashion us with. Let us consider a few of these Praying always with all [kinds of] prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  Ephesians 6:18  1. The Prayer of Consecration. In this type of prayer you offer yourself to the Lord for His perfect will to be done. God loves His children who want His will to be done. If you pray this prayer...

THE SWEET INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON YOUR PRODUCTIVITY.  Scripture: Isaiah 32:15. Topic: The Sweet Influences of The Holy Spirit in your Productivity.  "Until THE SPIRIT be poured upon us from on high, and THE WILDERNESS BE A FRUITFUL FIELD, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest."   Isaiah 32:15  Notice the Scripture above. The wilderness is turned into a fruitful field and a fruitful field is converted into a forest by the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit influences your fruitfulness. Many people attribute productivity and fruitfulness to natural causes and reasons. But the truth is that the Holy Spirit is the one who makes you productive. What a change! What an improvement! What fruitfulness and what productivity all because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. My attempts at being a farmer have revealed to me that no one can be fruitful and productive unless God blesses him.  The multiplying herds of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob can only...

THE SWEET INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON YOUR CREATIVITY.   Scripture: Genesis 1:2-3 Topic: The Sweet Influences of the Holy Spirit on your Creativity.  "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And THE SPIRIT OF GOD MOVED upon the face of the waters. And God said, LET THERE BE LIGHT: and there was light." Genesis 1:2-3   Creative people are influenced by the Holy Spirit to create and to invent. When the Holy Spirit moved, God the Father created the world. If the moving of the Holy Spirit brought about the creation of this world, then the moving of the Holy Spirit in your life will bring about creativity in your ministry. The greatest leaders of this world created and built new things. People rallied around their ideas and followed their creative ideas. When a person is under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he becomes creative. The absence of the Holy Spirit leads to monotonous leadership that lacks ideas. God will use...

THE SWEET INFLUENCES OF THE ANOINTING ON YOUR MINISTRY EMPHASES.  Scripture: Acts 1:8 Topic: The Sweet Influences of the Anointing on your Ministry Emphases.  "But ye shall receive power, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST is come upon you: and YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."  Acts 1:8  Ministers of the gospel emphasize different things. You only have to turn on your TV to discover the different things we all emphasize. Where do all these different emphases come from and what inspires them? The Scripture above reveals that when the Holy Spirit comes on believers they are influenced to become witnesses to the rest of the world. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be influenced to emphasize soul winning, witnessing and evangelism. The Holy Spirit has not changed! God has not changed! And Jesus has not changed! When the Holy Spirit fell on the early church, the result wa...

THE SWEET INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON YOUR WILLINGNESS AND EARGERNESS.  Scripture: Exodus 35:21. Topic: The Sweet Influences of The Holy Spirit on your willingness and Eagerness. "And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one WHOM HIS SPIRIT MADE WILLING, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments . " Exodus 35:21  Without the influence of the Holy Spirit most people grumble when they have to do something. They complain, they murmur, they go on strike and exhibit many different forms of discontentment. It is hard to find a workplace without discontented and grumbling employees. Such is the nature of man without the influence of the Holy Spirit. Our churches are equally filled with discontented, grumbling and criticizing members. Most of these murmurers are filled with evil spirits like the complaining Israelites who followed Moses. This is why we need the ...

THE SWEET INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON YOUR LEVEL OF BOLDNESS. Scripture: Acts 4:31. Topic: The Sweet Influences of The Holy Spirit on your Level of Boldness.  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they  were assembled together; and they were all FILLED WITH THE  HOLY GHOST, AND THEY SPAKE THE WORD OF GOD WITH  BOLDNESS.” Acts 4:31 One of the most amazing effects of the influence of the Holy Spirit will be the dramatic change in your level of boldness. Frightened, timid and disillusioned apostles hiding in a room were transformed instantly into a bold and fearless team of preachers. They seemed to have no fears any more. They suddenly seemed to know how to give speeches in public. They faced up to the murderers of Christ boldly and preached confrontational sermons! You can contrast this with Peter’s vehement denial of Christ a few days before. What caused such drastic changes? The Holy Spirit! You need the Holy Spirit to grow in boldness in the min...

THE SWEET INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON YOUR CHARACTER. Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23. Topic:The Sweet Influences of the Holy Spirit on your Character.  "But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,  gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such  there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 Under the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit, you have the supernatural ability and grace to bear the fruits of the Spirit. Without the influence of the Holy Spirit you will be an ordinary man; full of greed, selfishness, lust, impatience, discontentment, suspicion, mistrust and evil thoughts and pride. When you come under the influence of the Holy Spirit, you develop a completely different set of character traits. You virtually change into a different person. Instead of lust you are full of love. Instead of discontentment you are full of joy and peace. Instead of impatience you are full of long-suffering and gentleness. Instead of wickedness you are full...

DECEIVED,BLIND AND SICK FATHERS.  Scripture: Genesis 27:1,26,28,29, Genesis 48:1,20. Topic: Deceived,Blind and Sick Fathers.  "And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old,  And His eyes were dim, so that He Could  not see...And his father Isaac said unto him  (Jacob)… therefore God give thee of the dew of  heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of  corn and wine: let people serve thee, and nations  bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let  thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every  one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth  thee." Genesis 27:1,26,28,29  "And it came to pass after these things, that one told  Joseph, Behold, thy Father Is sick…And He  Blessed them that DAY, saying, In thee shall  Israel bless..." Genesis 48:1, 20  Unfortunately, natural men have mistaken physical weakness for spiritual weakness. They presume that old age,sickness and problems redu...

THE POWER OF A FATHER.  Scripture: Exodus 20:12. Topic: The Power of a Father.  "Honour thy father…that thy days may be long upon  the land which the lord thy God giveth thee." Exodus 20:12 Fathers have the power to bless and to curse. They occupy a seat of authority given by the Lord. There is tremendous power released when a father speaks a blessing over a son. There are three groups of people on earth that have been given divine authority. In the family setting, the father has been given authority. In the nation, the government has been given authority, and in the church, the pastor is the authority figure. "Everyone Must submit Him Self to the Governing Authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, He who rebels against the authority is rebelling Against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Romans 13:1-2 (new Internat...

I SENT YOU A FATHER!  Scripture: Matthew 21:36-37. Topic: I sent you a Father!  "Again, He sent other servants More  than the First: and they did unto them  likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son,  saying, they will reverence my son." Matthew 21:36-37 God sends Fathers into our lives who we often do not recognize. People even fight with their fathers! We must learn to receive the fathers God send into our lives. Receiving an instructor involves receiving the lessons he gives from the Word. Receiving a father involves receiving an all-embracing ministry from someone. In the natural, your biological father affects you in many ways. He teaches you how to eat, how to dress and how to live. He gives you wisdom, advice and little lessons for life. He sets an example for you to follow and serves as a source of inspiration and direction. Compare this with your school teachers. These instructors often do not guide and inspire us as our fathers do. When you c...

RECOGNIZE THE MAN GOD USES.  Scripture: Genesis 30:27 Topic: Recognize the Man God uses.  "And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found  favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that THE LORD HATH BLESSED ME FOR THY SAKE." Genesis 30:27 People forget because they do not recognize God's vessel. They do not realize that they are where they are because God blessed them through their association with someone. A failure to understand this is the cause of many of life's disasters. It takes humility to recognize that God has chosen certain people, given them a call and favored all those who help their cause. God chose Israel and has blessed all those who help that nation. There is nothing you can do about God's choices. Laban was a wise unbeliever who recognized that his blessings had come by associating with Jacob. He did not want to part company with Jacob because he sensed that the blessing came by this association. When the Ark of the Cov...

RECOGNIZE THE HAND OF GOD.  Scripture: Daniel 5:23 Topic: Recognize The Hand of God.  "...and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are  all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:" Daniel 5:23 Many People do not understand why or how they are blessed.They just enjoy the blessings but they do not understand how they are acquired. For instance, most Africans do not know how Europe was built. They have no idea how a clean and orderly society is created. They love to go to these Western countries and live there if possible.  But they do things that destroy their own nations. They fight  against the very things that create what they want. They oppose  decisions that will bring order, cleanliness and all the other  things that the Western world has.  They reject the practical kind of leaders that can create the  Western type of environments and choose impractical,  ceremonial, handsome men who know little about leadership! They sim...

DON'T LET THE PASSAGE OF TIME MAKE YOU FORGET. Scripture: Genesis 40:23 Topic : Don't let the Passage of Time Make you Forget.  "Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat  him." Genesis 40:23 Another reason why people forget is simply the passage of time. When the chief Butler was in prison, he was helped greatly by Joseph. But he forgot Joseph when he was released. Even though he had been helped in prison, he forgot about Joseph in his freedom. I have watched how people forget where they came from. As the years have gone by, they need to be reminded of their beginnings. At different times, the Lord used me to start different fellowships, groups and churches. Sometimes I would hand over the group to a leader and leave them for some time. Invariably, they forgot me. They forgot how they began and they forgot about me. With the passage of time, they did not even want my involvement anymore. I remember one particular fellowship I started and allowed to run...

DON'T LET SUCCESS MAKE YOU FORGET. Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:18. Topic: Don't Let Success Make you Forget.  "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he  that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish  his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this  day." Deuteronomy 8:18 Moses defined success as "when thou hast eaten and art full"  Successful people suffer most from a lack of remembrance.  They cannot remember how they came to be where they are.  Like the prophet he was, Moses warned them about specific  blessings and the tendency to forget the Lord's input into their  lives. "When thou hast eaten and art full , then thou shalt bless the  LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given  thee.  Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not  keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his  statutes, which I command thee this day:  Lest when thou hast eaten and art...

FORGETTING TAKES AWAY COMPASSION.  Scripture: Matthew 25:35-36, 9:36. Topic: Forgetting takes away Compassion.  "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Matthew 25:35-36 "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Matthew 9:36 To take care of people who are in physical difficulty often goes along with the ability to remember. Sadly, most people do not remember where they came from.   One day, I met a millionaire who had established a large  prisons ministry.  He told me how he had been thrown into prison for several  years and then had been released miraculously. After being  released, this man could not forget his experience in the prison.  The Lord used him to establ...

FORGETTING LEADS TO REBELLION. Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:17.  Topic: Forgetting Leads to Rebellion.  "And Samuel said, When thou wast LITTLE IN THINE  OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes  of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?" 1 Samuel 15:17 Saul did not remember to obey the Lord when he was lifted up. Samuel reminded him that he was nobody when God called and anointed him. Apparently, he had forgotten  how little he was at the beginning. People rebel against those who set them up because they do not remember how they came to be where they are. I remember a brother who rebelled against his General Superintendent. He was sent to a foreign country to plant a church. After the church grew and became successful, this brother decided to dissociate himself from the church which sent him. I visited the General Superintendent and he spoke bitterly about this missionary.  I was amazed to hear that this brother had written him a nasty...

FORGETTING MAKES YOU PRESUMPTUOUS.  Scripture: Numbers 16:8-9. Topic: Forgetting makes you Presumptuous.  "And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of  Levi:  SEEMETH IT BUT A SMALL THING UNTO YOU,  THAT THE GOD OF ISRAEL HATH SEPARATED YOU  FROM THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL, TO  BRING YOU NEAR to himself to do the service of the  tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the  congregation to minister unto them?" Numbers 16:8-9 The rebellion of Korah is of particular note because Moses rebuked Korah for his presumption. Presumption is the arrogant assumption of privilege, when a Person becomes presumptuous, he is too confident in a way that shows a lack of respect. When people are fortunate to occupy certain positions, they often do not realize what a privilege they have. Moses recognized this sin in Korah. Korah had the privilege of being a Levite and a leader of the congregation. Yet he spoke the rudest words to Moses, the serva...